Absolute Beginners Guide to Upgrading and Fixing Your PC

Upgrade #2: Installing a New Keyboard

A keyboard is a keyboard is a keyboard well, pretty much, anyway. Let's look at a few differences.

Choosing a Keyboard

If you do a lot of typing, you should definitely test drive any new keyboard you add to your system; some keyboards have an intolerable mushy touch, whereas others have a nice, firm, satisfying click. It pays to buy a keyboard that feels right to you.

In addition, ergonomic keyboards (like the one shown in Figure 7.3) are popular with some users. If you engage in long typing sessions, this type of keyboard can be a little easier on the wrists.

All of the companies who manufacture mice also manufacture keyboards. (See the previous list for names and Web sites.) Also popular are keyboards from Keytronic (www.keytronic.com), one of the older companies in the computer accessory business.

Connecting the Keyboard

Almost all keyboards today connect via a PS/2 adapter, although some newer models are USB-compatible. Connecting a new keyboard is a simple process:

1. Close Windows and power off your computer. (You don't need to unplug it, just turn it off.)

2. Disconnect your old keyboard.

   tip

   If you're installing a USB keyboard, you technically don't need to turn off your computer although I always do, just to make sure that Windows properly recognizes the new device.

3. Connect the new keyboard to the appropriate port on the back of your computer.

4. Turn your computer back on.

5. Windows should automatically recognize your new keyboard and prompt you to install the appropriate driver software. (If your keyboard came with an installation CD, now is the time to run the installation program.)